Chapter 6 - the first betrayal
Hannah remained hidden until they left.
Then she took photographs of every document she could.
She did not know who to trust.
Not even Samuel.
But she needed proof.
The next morning, she confronted Caleb.
“Why were you in the archive?”
He laughed.
“You've been snooping around.”
“You knew about it.”
“So did my mother.”
“Did you know about my mother?”
His expression changed.
Hannah stepped closer.
“What happened to her?”
Caleb looked away.
“I don't know.”
“You're lying.”
“I was twelve.”
“You were old enough to remember.”
Caleb said nothing.
Hannah placed the photograph of her mother and Samuel on the table.
“Tell me.”
Caleb stared at it.
Finally, he whispered:
“She wasn't dead.”
Hannah felt the words hit her like a physical blow.
“What?”
“She was alive when Vivian married your father.”
“Where was she?”
“I don't know.”
“Caleb.”
He stood.
“I said I don't know.”
Hannah grabbed his arm.
“Then tell me what you do know.”
Caleb pulled away.
“My mother said your father was dangerous.”
“And you believed her?”
“For years.”
He paused.
“Then Grandpa showed me something.”
“What?”
Caleb looked frightened.
“He told me that if anything happened to him, I should never let Vivian find the blue file.”
Hannah froze.
“The blue file?”
Caleb nodded.
“I saw it once.”
“Where?”
“Your father's office.”
“When?”
“Two days before he died.”
Hannah's heart raced.
“Who had it?”
May you like
Caleb looked toward the hallway.
“Vivian.”
